Financial Analysts Career

If you have an interest in numbers and are enthralled with the finance and business world, you might consider a career as a financial analyst. Financial analysts work for banks, insurance companies, securities firms and other businesses, making investment recommendations or decisions on behalf of the firm. They usually specialize in either the “buy side” or the “sell side.”

Financial analysts can be divided into two categories: buy side analysts and sell side analysts.

Buy side analysts develop investment strategies for companies that have a lot of money to invest. These companies, called institutional investors, include mutual funds, hedge funds, insurance companies, independent money managers, and nonprofit organizations with large endowments, such as some universities.

Sell side analysts advise financial services sales agents who sell stocks, bonds, and other investments.

The following are examples of types of financial analysts:
  • Portfolio managers supervise a team of analysts and select the mix of products, industries, and regions for their company’s investment portfolio.
  • Fund managers work exclusively with hedge funds or mutual funds.
  • Ratings analysts evaluate the ability of companies or governments to pay their debts, including bonds.
  • Risk analysts evaluate the risk in investment decisions and determine how to manage unpredictability and limit potential losses.

Role of Financial Analysts

  • Evaluate the risk in investment portfolios and help limit potential losses.
  • Supervise teams of analysts and choose the mix of investments for a company’s portfolio.
  • Work with spreadsheets and specialized software packages to analyze data and develop forecasts.
  • Measure risks and make recommendations to buy, sell or hold investments.
  • Prepare written reports.
  • Meet with investors to explain recommendations.

Skills of Financial Analysts

Analytical skills: Financial analysts must process a range of information in finding profitable investments.

Communication skills: Financial analysts must explain their recommendations to clients in clear language that clients can easily understand.

Decision-making skills: Financial analysts must provide a recommendation to buy, hold, or sell a security. Fund managers must make split-second trading decisions.

Detail oriented: Financial analysts must pay attention to details when reviewing possible investments as small facts may have large implications for the health of an investment.

Math skills: Financial analysts use mathematical skills when estimating the value of financial securities.

Technical skills: Financial analysts must be adept at using software packages to analyze financial data, see trends, create portfolios, and make forecasts.

Work Schedules

Financial analysts usually work in an office setting. They may be required to travel to meet with clients or potential investors. A fast-paced work environment is typical, and they may work more than 40 hours per week. Also many qualified financial analysts start their own finance consulting business.

Some Job Titles

Financial Analyst, Securities Analyst, Investment Analyst, Equity Research Analyst, Credit Products Officer, Operational Risk Analyst, Planning Analyst, Research Analyst, Real Estate Analyst

Where to Study

A degree or graduate degree with MBA or Masters in Finance or related qualification is preferred by the industry. There are many universities, institutes of higher education and business schools worldwide those offer programmes in finance or together with other categories like Marketing and Finance or Finance and Risk Management etc. To find a suitable study programme go to University Hub.

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